Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is challenging but is easily achievable when you do it with well trained certified mountain guides. Kilimanjaro is found in Tanzania, Africa. Its location is: 3.07 S, 37.35 E and its elevation is: 19,335.6 ft (5,895m).
These are the most popular trekking routes when climbing Kilimanjaro: Marangu route, Rongai route, Machame route, Shira route, Lemosho route and Umbwe route. However, it has been said that climbing Kilimanjaro via the Machame and/or Rongai offers the reward and sense of success.
Altitude sickness is avoided or overcome by drinking a lot of water and trekking/walking up the mountain slowly. One day is necessary for acclimatization and special food is prepared for mountain climbers. Trekking routes range from 6 to 10 days, depending on the route and package chosen through Kili Travel Adventures Tanzania (www.kilitraveladventurestz.com).
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru
The warmest months with the clearest trekking days, are from mid to late December, January, February, September and October. The rains often come in April and the start of May with the possibility of some snow.
The months of June to August are superb trekking months, though evening temperatures tend to be colder. The wettest months, are November and early December, where snow falls are likely. Note however, that as this is a mountain it is not impossible to get sporadic snow or rainfall at odd times throughout the year.
Many people like to arrange their summit around a full moon and Christmas and New Year are very popular.
The extinct volcano of Kilimanjaro is one of the world’s most recognisable peaks. It rises dramatically above the dusty East African plains with the impressive snow-capped summit awarding awe-inspiring views of this magnificent landscape. The expedition travels through one of Africa’s best-known game reserves and climbs through five ecosystems, offering a full mountain experience with the ascent of the continent’s highest peak.
Of the Seven Summits, Kilimanjaro is the least difficult to climb. However, at over 19,000ft high, it is still a tough ascent and trekkers will need to be in good physical condition.
Our expedition incorporates a thorough programme of acclimatisation, including an ascent of nearby Mount Meru (4,556m/14,947ft) as preparation for the main objective. By applying our expertise from guiding many of the world’s most formidable mountains, including Everest, we have established an unparalleled track record of success on Kilimanjaro.
The Umbwe Route, followed by the Western Breach, is undoubtedly the most exciting route to the top of Kilimanjaro that does not require the use of ropes. It avoids the crowds on the well-trodden tourist trail from Marangu, which is used by the vast majority of people who attempt the mountain. Unlike, the usual dash up the Marangu route, our 6 days on the mountain allow us to experience this immaculate and inaccessible environment whilst gradually acclimatising our bodies to the higher altitude. We camp in high quality British tents and eat fresh, local food prepared by our Tanzanian cook staff.
This is a fairly short expedition that is geared to providing you with the maximum chance of success on Kilimanjaro. However, if you would like to remain in Africa for a few days longer, arrangements can be made for a wildlife safari to any one of the nearby game reserves.
More About Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and Mount Oldonyo Lengai
Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano reaching an elevation of 19,335.6 ft. (5,895 m). Other names for this volcano are: Kilima Dscharo, Oldoinyo Oibor (White Mountain in Masai), and Kilima Njaro meaning shining mountain in Swahili. This volcano’s highest and youngest cone is named Kibo. Shira to the west and Mawenzi in the east are older cones that make up Kilimanjaro. Kibo has not been active in modern times, but steam and sulfur are still emitted. At the top of Kibo’s summit is a 1 1/2 mile (2 1/4 Km) wide crater.
Kilimanjaro is the largest of an E-W belt of about 20 volcanoes near the southern end of the East African Rift Valley. Also prominent in this belt are Ngorongoro caldera – a superb wildlife refuge, Oldonyo Lengai- a carbonitite volcano, and Meru. Kilimanjaro is a triple volcano with the youngest and central peak of Kibo being 7.5-8.7 miles (12-14 km) from Shira to the west and Mawenza to the east. As all of Kilimanjaro’s climbers know the gentle lower slopes steepen to 30 degrees about 13,000 ft.(4 km) elevation.
Shira is topped by a broad plateau, perhaps a filled caldera, and erosion has cut deeply into a remnant rim. In contrast, Mawenzi’s summit is a steep rocky peak surrounded by cliffs 1,600 ft.(0.5 km) to 4,900 ft.(1.5 km) high. Erosion has removed the original crater, and a great horseshoe shaped ridge opens to the northeast. Mile-deep gullies with 30-45 degree gradients make many places practically inaccessible. Massive series of radial and concentric dyke swarm make up more than 30-40 percent of the summit area of Mawenzi. Kibo’s glacier-clad summit, the highest spot in Africa, is a 1.2 x 1.7 mile (1.9 x 2.7 km) caldera, with an inner crater nearly a mile (1.3 km) wide, and inside that a deep, 1,148 ft. (350 m) wide central pit.
Original volcanic forms are preserved at the summit and on many of the flanks, except on the south side where glaciers have cut deeply into the cone. Nearly 250 satellitic cones occur on Kilimanjaro, most following SE and NW trends.
Estimates suggest that of a total volume of about 1,150 cu. miles, Mawenzi and Shira each contribute roughly 120 cu. mi. of andesites and basalts, Kibo has the same volume of similar but unexposed rocks, plus an additional 107 cu. miles. Interestingly, more than half of Kilimanjaro’s volume is represented by older, basal basalts (672 cu. mi.), so once again- as in Cascade stratovolcanoes – a basaltic shield is the most important, but least conspicuous element of a chemically complex volcano.
Kilimanjaro – Africa’s largest volcano and amongst the largest on Earth, it is indeed a beautiful and fascinating sight and adventure waiting to be discovered.
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